Beekeeping Grants

Starting an apiary or just a few hives in your own backyard is a great way to improve the environment and learn more about beekeeping. However, doing so can be quite expensive in a variety of ways. With that in mind, many decide to apply for beekeeping grants. Here, we will talk about various places where you may be able to learn about and apply for beekeeping grants on a regular basis. These grants can be used to offset the costs of establishing a colony, from equipment to insect costs, and more.

Grants Guys Beekeeping Grants

There are over 10 programs listed on the grants guys site for Beekeeping Grants. They go into a lot of detail and explain exactly how to acquire each grant. They also have done a great job at explaining how a lot of grants can be found on the state level. for example Haagen-Dazs and Burts Bees they are just a couple of the companies supporting small and large bee farms and research programs. For more information visit http://grantsguys.com/beekeeping-grants-support-an-important-industry/

Governmental Grants Often, governmental organizations like the USDA and state and county extension services offer agricultural grants. Beekeeping may be included in such grants. One such example of these grants with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, can be found here: www.KYAGR.com Honey Bees Page. Governmental organizations are so interested in these grants because it improves the overall health of the pollinator population. They may also be concerned about the environmental impact loss of honeybees has had. When you realize that bees are responsible for pollination of up to 80% of agricultural crops in the US, it is plain to see why these grants are so common. Organizational Grants There are lots of private organizations connected with beekeeping. Because they wish to boost the number of people currently keeping bees, they often offer beekeeping grants to members and nonmembers alike. Agricultural societies, research organizations, and even beekeepers associations may give grants to some willing participants. This might also be a fantastic way to meet people of similar interests. Just be sure that you read the fine print on these grants. Some will allow organizations to closely monitor your hives for particular things. Or they might require things such as regular honey and wax samples, inspections, and more. An example is found here: EAS Foundation For Honey Bee ResearchApplying for a Grant So how does a beekeeper go about applying for one of the grants listed above? Applying for a grant first requires you to read the entire call for proposals. You will be asked to write a paper about why you should be considered for such a grant. If you have never wrote a grant before, you may want to consider taking a grant writing class, or contacting a professional at a local organization. Be sure that all your paperwork is submitted on time and follows all guidelines. Then, wait to see if you have been selected.